How and Where To Apply Concealer—Plus 10 Editor-Approved Options To Try

How Do You Apply Concealer?

You’re far from alone if you’ve ever wondered whether it’s better to apply concealer or foundation first in your makeup routine. While the answer can vary depending on how you’re using your makeup, it’s generally best to apply your foundation first, then use concealer to conceal any imperfections the foundation didn’t cover. Keep scrolling to learn how.

Step 1: Find your shade match

Before anything else, you’ll want to find a concealer that complements your skin tone. If you’re highlighting the center of your face or trying to brighten up your under-eye area, choose a formula that’s a shade or two lighter than your skin tone. If you’re not highlighting, or if you're trying to spot-conceal a blemish, a concealer shade that matches your skin tone will probably be your best bet. It’s also important to ensure your chosen shade matches your undertones—which can be either warm, neutral, or cool—to ensure the most seamless-looking end result. If you need help determining your undertones, check out our article Tips and Tricks for Identifying Your Skin’s Undertones.

Step 2: Apply concealer with a brush, sponge, or fingers

Many concealers come with their own applicators which you can use to dot the product on. However, we recommend using a tool, such as a brush or sponge, to blend out the pigment.

Makeup sponges are great for a seamless blend and tend to provide a more natural-looking end result. When blending, bounce or tap the sponge onto your skin to help blend the product with your foundation. You can also use your fingers to blend if you’re using a sheerer concealer.

Brushes, meanwhile, are ideal for fuller-coverage looks. We recommend using a dedicated concealer brush, like the IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Dual Airbrush Concealer Brush #2, to lightly buff the product onto your skin. The smaller end of the dual-ended brush can be used to apply concealer to hard-to-reach areas (like around the nose), while the larger, fluffier end is perfect for blending out the pigment for an airbrushed look.

Step 3: Set with powder

Setting your makeup with powder isn’t always necessary, especially if you have dry skin or are going for a glowy look. But lightly setting your concealer with powder can help prevent creasing, minimize shine, and make the concealer underneath last longer. It also makes it easier to layer other powder products, such as bronzer or blush, on top.

How To Choose the Right Concealer

Concealer can come in an array of formats and finishes. When choosing a formula, you’ll want to take your skin type, concerns, and desired level of coverage into account.

Those with oily skin tend to fare best with lightweight matte formulas that help camouflage imperfections without weighing down the skin or making it look greasy. Creamier, more hydrating formulas, meanwhile, are well-suited for those with drier skin types, as they can help hide imperfections without emphasizing fine lines or dry patches.

How you plan to use your concealer can help guide your choice, too. Full-coverage concealers are well-suited for glam makeup looks but may be too heavy for natural and no-makeup makeup looks. On the other hand, sheer concealers can help subtly even out the skin, but may not provide enough coverage for those looking to conceal dark spots or blemishes. If you’re unsure how much coverage is right for you, we suggest starting off with a buildable medium-coverage formula—these can be built up (or sheered out), making them well-suited for a wide range of makeup looks.

Types of concealers

While your skin type, concerns, and desired level of coverage are key factors to consider when choosing a concealer, it’s also important to figure out what type of concealer you want to use. Most concealers are either liquids or creams, and while both have their benefits, they can offer different results.

• Liquid concealers tend to be easy to apply and blend and can range from sheer to full-coverage, depending on the formula. They may also be hydrating and tend to feel lightweight on the skin, making them ideal for use beneath or around the eyes.
• Cream concealers (and concealer sticks) usually fall into the medium-to-full coverage range. They’re a bit thicker in texture and can be useful for concealing blemishes and highlighting the face. Because they’re heavier, however, they’re not the best pick for camouflaging under-eye circles—as mentioned, the skin here is thin, and typically fares best with lighter, more fluid makeup products.

There are also color-correcting concealers, which can be liquid or creamy in texture. These tinted formulas help neutralize the look of discoloration and are typically applied before foundation to help make the skin appear more even. If you have prominent or persistent discoloration that your standard concealer can’t quite hide, it may be a good idea to add a color corrector to your arsenal, too.

Our Favorite Concealers To Shop Now

Now that you know how, when, and where to apply concealer, keep scrolling for a look at some of our editors’ favorite formulas.

Maybelline New York Super Stay Longwear Liquid Concealer

This concealer is a matte, full-coverage dream. Despite its heavy-duty coverage, the oil-free formula feels surprisingly weightless on the skin, making it easy to blend and comfortable to wear all day. It also lives up to its claims: The long-wear formula is sweat-proof, smudge- and transfer-resistant, and lasts up to 30 hours. Reach for this on days you need assurance that your makeup will last through anything.

Giorgio Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Hydrating & Brightening Concealer

This cult-classic concealer is known for its gorgeous luminous finish, buttery-smooth, blendable texture, and versatility. You can use the high-coverage formula to conceal imperfections, brighten the skin, or sculpt your face (for the latter, use a shade slightly darker than your natural skin tone for natural-looking definition). No matter how you choose to use it, the oil-free formula applies easily and provides long-lasting wear while keeping the skin feeling hydrated for up to 24 hours.

L'Oréal Paris True Match Radiant Serum Concealer

If you mainly use your concealer to hide dark circles and puffiness, we suggest adding this caffeine-infused formula to your makeup bag. The medium-coverage formula helps de-puff under-eye bags, instantly conceals dark circles, and provides up to 24 hours of hydration. We also love that the iron-shaped applicator makes easy work of accessing hard-to-reach areas, like the inner corners.

Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear All Over Full Coverage Concealer

This luxe concealer from Lancôme ticks all of the boxes. It’s creamy, but lightweight; full-coverage, but hydrating; and boasts a natural-looking matte finish that blends easily and won’t crease or cling to dry spots. Use it to brighten dull skin, conceal imperfections, or carve out your features with precision.

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Full Coverage Waterproof Concealer

If you’re someone who loves skincare-makeup hybrids, this full-coverage concealer is a must-try. The anti-aging formula contains peptides, hydrolyzed collagen, and hyaluronic acid and helps brighten, smooth, and conceal a range of skin concerns, from dark circles to crow’s feet and more. Plus, the waterproof formula wears for up to 24 hours without settling into fine lines, making it a great pick for big events like weddings or prom.

NYX Professional Makeup Pro Fix Stick Correcting Concealer

For those who favor cream concealers, we recommend this versatile option from NYX Professional Makeup. The hyaluronic acid-infused formula glides on easily and blends like a dream, providing medium (but buildable) coverage for blemishes, dark circles, and more. The lineup includes six color-correcting shades that can be layered on beneath your foundation, as well as 18 skin-like shades for masking minor imperfections.

YSL Beauty Touche Éclat Awakening Concealer Click Pen

This unique formula bridges the gap between concealer and highlighter. The illuminating concealer provides light coverage and has a radiant finish to help brighten the skin without making it appear obviously “made up.” And—bonus—it wears for up to 12 hours without creasing. We find ourselves reaching for this on no-makeup makeup days when we want to look fresh and rested (it’s also a great complement to a glass skin makeup routine).

Urban Decay Quickie 24HR Full-Coverage Waterproof Concealer

On one side of this dual-ended applicator is a long-lasting, waterproof concealer; on the other, an easy-to-use buffing brush for blending on the go. Dot a small amount of the pigmented formula onto dark circles, blemishes, or dark spots, then flip the applicator over and use the brush to easily blend out the hydrating formula for natural-looking coverage that’ll stay put for up to 24 hours.

Kulfi Beauty Main Match Crease-Proof Long-Wear Hydrating Concealer

Diversity is one of the main principles driving South Asian-owned beauty brand Kulfi Beauty, and this concealer lineup reflects that. The collection includes 21 shades in cool, neutral, and warm undertones, all of which, per the brand, provide medium coverage with a crease-proof, luminous finish. The brand also describes this unique concealer as “self-setting,” which means you can skip the powder and not worry about it melting off of your face.

Kosas Revealer Super Creamy + Brightening Concealer with Caffeine and Hyaluronic Acid

For a natural, no-makeup-makeup look, try this concealer. It provides a radiant finish and medium coverage, with a wide range of shades (38, to be exact) to fit almost any skin tone. We love it for the under-eye area because it’s packed with skincare ingredients, including caffeine, peptides, and hyaluronic acid, and, per the brand, helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over time.

Next Up: 9 Easy Steps for a Foundation-Free Makeup Routine